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5 Reasons Wild-Rice Rocks On a Gluten-Free or Grain-Free Diet

What if you could enjoy a rice that was deliciously nutty, rich in protein, jam-packed with antioxidants, that also boosted your alkalinity, and was completely gluten and grain-free? Friends, now you can -kiss the boring brown rice goodbye and say hello to the amazing wild rice, because it totally rocks!

Now, we’re not talking about those wild rice blends you see with multiple types of rice (which usually just have a few pieces of wild rice mixed into other rices like brown, red, and white rice.) I’m talking about pure, wild rice that grows in the Great Lakes of Minnesota and has the most delicious flavor you could ever dream of (and don’t worry, it’s not even expensive.)

Check out the awesome details on this black-colored rice you’ve probably seen at the store but possibly overlooked:

1. Not a Grain

Wild rice is an aquatic grass, not a grain, though it’s referred to as rice because it looks and cooks like all other types of rice. Wild rice is the easiest rices to digest and contains no arsenic like other types of rice do. It’s also the only rice Native to North America and only two other varieties exist worldwide, which are grown in Asia where they’re consumed as a vegetable, not a grain. Though brown and black rices are incredibly healthy, some people on a grain-free and gluten-free diet may still find rice intolerable, making wild rice the perfect choice.

2. Enhances Digestion

Wild rice isn’t only easy to digest, it also enhances digestion. It’s rich in magnesium, which contributes to regularity and a healthy nervous system (which is largely located in the digestive tract.) It’s also higher in fiber than brown and black rice, but not too high where it causes discomfort. Containing 3 grams in 1/4 cup, wild rice contains more per serving than oats or even quinoa, and all other rice varieties.

3. Alkaline-Forming

Wild rice is also very alkaline-forming, unlike most grains which are acid-forming. This gives it a special anti-inflammatory feature, which contributes to overall health. Whole grains are certainly a wonderful part of a well-balanced diet, but including a rich source of alkaline foods (such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and options like raw almonds and wild rice) never hurts to help balance things out. A healthy acid/alkaline balance is important to not only treat and prevent inflammation, but a wide variety of health issues associated with inflammation.

5. Delicious and Versatile

Let’s face it – some gluten-free eats are majorly lacking in the flavor department. Not wild rice though; it’s an incredibly satisfying rice to enjoy and has a complex, nutty taste that’s not bitter, but even slightly sweet though it contains no sugar. Wild rice is also easy to cook with and prepare. You can buy it in quick-cook or long-grain form. To obtain true wild rice, look on the box to ensure it’s Minnesota grown, which is often referred to as paddy-grown rice. You can cook wild rice like you would any other type of rice and enjoy it in many different ways.

How to Prepare Wild-Rice:

So you’re ready to try wild rice, right? Great! Here’s all you need to do: Combine 1 cup uncooked wild rice (not quikc-cook) with 3 cups liquid (such as water or veggie broth) in a 2-3 quart pot or saucepan. Bring it to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Put the lid on as you turn the heat down and cook 35-50 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can also do this in your slow-cooker or rice-cooker to make things quicker. If you’re using quick-cook wild rice, all you need to do is boil some water and add the rice (use three times the amount of liquid to the amount of rice you make.)

When the rice is done cooking, it will burst open a bit, which indicates it’s done. It should be light brown with black hues in color and should be slightly soft to the touch. Fluff with a fork, or even let it cool and freeze in individual baggies to pop out for quick meals. You can also make a huge batch at the beginning of the week and have some every morning as a nice, comforting porridge.

Here is a handy guide to roasting vegetables along with well over a dozen recipe ideas at the end. Print it out and hang it on your fridge. Then sharpen your knives, turn on the oven and get ready to roast.

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0 comments on “5 Reasons Wild-Rice Rocks On a Gluten-Free or Grain-Free Diet”

p.s. Point 4 also is stated incorrectly:"because it’s a grass, is richer in protein than all other rices and even many grains"The other rices, Oryza species, are grasses as well, and their fruits and those of wild rice are all grains.

In addition to this website being incorrect about arsenic content of wild rice in general, it\'s incorrect about the fruit type. The fruit of the grass family (Poaceae) is a caryopsis, which IS a grain. This website contains information that is incorrect and misleading.

I would like to clarify something, though. Paddy rice and natural wild rice are not the same thing. Paddy rice is cultivated in artificially-created fields, machine-harvested, and a black or dark brown color. Natural wild rice grows naturally in lakes/rivers, and is hand-harvested (my dad does this every year), and is a medium or light brown in color.